These values simply translated over into the Navy when she was prepared to depart house and forge her personal journey.
“There are a few completely different explanation why I joined the Navy, however I’d say one among my essential issues was as a result of I needed to embark on a fantastic journey,” mentioned Douglas. “It sounds cliché, however I felt like I had extra to supply. I had a number of jobs: from a boring desk job to being a farmhand to adorning desserts. After some time, I felt capped out. I needed to be extra profitable and have the chance to maneuver up and progress.”
And progress she did. After graduating from Navy boot camp at Recruit Coaching Command (RTC) in Nice Lakes, Illinois, Douglas reported to her first responsibility station at Maritime Expeditionary Safety Squadron (MSRON) Three. The mission of MSRONs throughout the Navy is to conduct maritime safety operations throughout all phases of navy operations by defending excessive worth property, vital maritime infrastructure, ports, and harbors each inland and on coastal waterways in opposition to enemies, and when commanded, conduct offensive fight operations. Throughout her tenure, Douglas stood out from amongst her friends as a result of she threw each ounce of her being at each job.
“I am not afraid to do one thing that I do not know methods to do, and at MSRON, it’s a excessive studying curve,” mentioned Douglas. “An enormous a part of my character and work ethic is that I’ll throw myself at one thing and grind on it till I work out methods to do it. I believe I’ve acquired a fairly even keel so it’s simple for me to do actually something that’s requested of me, so I believe it’s what’s made me profitable within the Navy.”
Whereas with MSRON-3, the Midwesterner deployed 3 times to the Center Jap a part of the world the place she noticed some superb issues.
“I noticed that I may exit and see actually cool stuff within the Navy,” mentioned Douglas. “I felt just like the Navy may give me a great profession path. On prime of that, one among my essential targets was touring and seeing the world as a result of I grew up in a small city in Missouri and hadn’t actually been anyplace outdoors the state. I needed to see extra of the world and the Navy does it higher than everyone else.”
Except for seeing completely different components of the world and studying about huge cultures, Douglas realized one thing about herself because of the Navy.
“I believe the Navy has helped me develop as an individual,” mentioned Douglas. “Earlier than the Navy, I used to be sort of aimless. I attempted a bunch of various careers however by no means actually felt like I discovered one thing that match. With the Navy, I’ve discovered one thing that makes me actually joyful. It seems like I’ve by no means labored a day in my life due to how a lot I’ve loved it.”
Douglas has loved the Navy a lot in order that she typically occasions reminisces to her first days at RTC.
“I believe again to the primary time I put my uniform on in boot camp, and it’s nerdy however, I appreciated what I noticed within the mirror,” mentioned Douglas. “I nonetheless like what I see each single day I put my uniform on.”
When the time got here for Douglas to decide on orders after MSRON-3, Douglas determined to commerce in her camouflage and bulletproof vest for her service uniform and gown whites at a recruiting command. A command that was near house and her relations – NTAG Mid America.
“My grandparents are from Wichita so once I noticed that that was out there, I used to be joyful that I’d be capable of go to them at any time when I need,” mentioned Douglas. “Plus, Wichita is simply a 3 hour drive away from my dad and mom, so I’m nonetheless capable of see them frequently.”
Except for the plain household benefits, Douglas selected to return again to the Midwest to share her experiences and tales with youngsters whose sneakers she was in.
“I needed to return and speak to youngsters that grew up the best way that I did and inform them that there is extra on the market than simply small city USA,” mentioned Douglas. “After speaking with them, I really feel like they really feel impressed; that they’ll exit and do actually unbelievable issues. They only need to need it dangerous sufficient and go make it occur.”
After all, recruiting within the Midwest comes with its drawbacks. Not everyone seems to be so receptive to Douglas’ Navy message for quite a lot of causes.
“Being in an Air Drive city is basically troublesome for the recruiting market,” mentioned Douglas. “We’re actually as far-off from the ocean as you could possibly probably get being in the midst of the nation. So, it’s a problem to recruit for certain.”
However regardless of these causes, Douglas doesn’t see it as a roadblock. She sees it as a possibility.
“I embrace the challenges of recruiting within the Midwest,” mentioned Douglas. “Even when someone doesn’t be a part of, I need to have the ability to give them a greater view of what we’re as a complete.”
Douglas additionally believes that regardless that the Navy isn’t for everybody, it’s nonetheless a viable path to pursue for some who need another choice outdoors of faculty after highschool.
“I didn’t go to varsity proper out of highschool, and on the time, it felt like I didn’t slot in with the remainder of society,” mentioned Douglas. “However I noticed that’s not the one path after highschool. There are many different choices and the navy is one among them. So, when somebody does find yourself becoming a member of the Navy as a result of they’re enthusiastic about all of the alternatives it might supply them, that’s actually cool to see. That’s actually my favourite factor about being a recruiter – seeing youngsters get excited concerning the factor that I really like.”
Her adoration for the Navy grows exponentially when she sees different girls deciding to affix the ranks of essentially the most highly effective Navy on the earth.
“I’ve acquired a comfortable spot for younger girls who need to be a part of,” mentioned Douglas. “As a lady within the navy, we’re nonetheless a minority. So, I really feel proud each time I see a younger girl who needs to observe in my footsteps. On prime of that, I simply actually like serving to individuals take their subsequent step in life and discovering their goal like I did.”
Douglas was additionally capable of finding extra than simply her goal since being on recruiting responsibility. She’s additionally been capable of develop each personally and professionally inside a brief span of time.
“Since I’ve been recruiting, I’ve been capable of purchase my first home and get a canine for the primary time since I used to be a child, in order that’s fairly superior,” mentioned Douglas. “I’m a prime recruiter on the command, and I used to be the primary recruiter within the nation for July. I used to be the recruiter of the month for the final two months, the recruiter of the quarter, and the command’s Junior Sailor of the Quarter. I’ve been capable of accomplish this all inside my first six months of recruiting.”
However her unbelievable efficiency doesn’t cease there for Douglas. She plans to develop even additional at NTAG Mid America… and past.
“I’ve plenty of targets and plans I need to obtain,” mentioned Douglas. “I need to get a six shooter award, which is once I write six contracts in a month. I need to be the command’s Rookie Recruiter of the 12 months and make top notch whereas I’m right here. Additional on down the highway, I’d prefer to make chief after which be a chief warrant officer within the MSRON neighborhood.”
Douglas encompasses every little thing wanted to be a prime recruiter. A ardour for the Navy, a hard-charging performer, and the power to not solely speak to individuals concerning the Navy, however to promote it. These qualities of hers are additional encapsulated by her divisional main petty officer, Navy Counselor 1st Class Matthew Taylor.
“Douglas is ready to relate to a mass viewers on a real private stage,” mentioned Taylor. “To have the ability to individually contact each individual within the room with out speaking to every individual individually, is really a exceptional reward. She has had the very best return on funding of individuals committing to affix the Navy. Her individuals expertise, efficiency of her duties, and fervour are unmatched.”
NTAG Mid America, a part of Navy Recruiting Command (NRC), recruits the subsequent technology of Navy Sailors all through areas encompassing Missouri, Kansas, central and southern Illinois, and a portion of Kentucky.
NRC consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Areas, and 26 NTAGs that serve greater than 1,000 recruiting stations around the globe. Their mission is to draw the very best high quality candidates to guarantee the continuing success of America’s Navy.
